What better way to start the Christmas Day celebrations than with a parkrun? This is the UK’s second bonus day (the first being New Year’s Day) when core teams may opt to offer an event that is not on a Saturday. Quakers Walk announced in good time that they would be holding their first Christmas Day parkrun, also their sixtieth event. It proved popular, with many of the participants turning up in full festive themed fancy dress, and many more wearing Santa hats.
The venue is fairly close to us so a good choice for a day when there is a great deal to accomplish other than running. We had our children staying over and two of them agreed to join us making it a fine family outing. As usual, we parked in the wharf car park (£1.80 for 2 hours and yes, charges still applied). It was then a short walk alongside the canal to the start point. On the way are the toilet facilities and volunteers had arranged to have these open from 7.30am to 9am.
Having taken the obligatory photos by the pop-up we made our way to the finish funnel as a tarpaulin is provided here on which jackets and bags may be left. We then made our way back to the start where participants were gathering. It was clear this was going to be a well attended parkrun.
The Run Director gave his briefing here, valiantly talking over a rather excited canine. As well as the usual reminders regarding safety – notably this is a stay right course – visitors from near and far were welcomed and milestones acknowledged. Having thanked the volunteers it was then time for the off.
The course is P shaped and a little over three laps in length. Weather was mild for the time of year and I was soon regretting wearing a Santa suit as it provided rather too much insulation. Deciding my best option was to run slowly I watched as my family disappeared into the distance.
The parkrun is named after a long walk that forms the straight line of the P. This proved quite muddy so care was needed to traverse. By the time the there and back again section was reached – the bottom of the P – the mud had eased. The path is wide enough here for runners to pass in both directions so long as care is taken to avoid those approaching – stay right as instructed and all will be well.
The round section of the P is on tarmac, past houses and a play park, and offers a gentle ascent. This seemed to get steeper on each lap but is well marshalled so there was plenty of encouragement. By the time I set out on my final lap the faster runners had finished. This therefore felt more relaxed as there were fewer runners wishing to overtake an overheated Santa.
However much fun it has been – and this was good fun with such a festive, friendly atmosphere – it is still a relief to reach the finish funnel. This was also quite muddy but I managed to stay upright, unlike some. The volunteers completed their tasks here with impressive competence – the results were sent out soon after everyone had finished. A board is provided on which to hang tokens once scanned. Belongings were then collected and the volunteers thanked for enabling us to enjoy our Christmas Day run.
315 participants passed through the finish funnel. The pack was led by Joe Bowerbank in a time of 17:19.
5 participants earned the right to wear a new milestone t-shirt. Well done to: Gary Mellish and Henrietta Marsh Smith (100); Jack Cane and Nicola Doherty (50); Charlie Oram (25).
Without the volunteers, both on the day and behind the scenes, parkrun cannot happen. Do please consider stepping up from time to time into one of the many and varied roles available.
Quakers Walk is a well organised and lovely parkrun. Thank you to everyone who made it such a happy start to our Christmas Day.
